Mark E.

Larson

The Truth about Gluttony

Introduction: There are many misunderstandings about gluttony.

What do you think of when you hear the word gluttony? What does a glutton look like? How
do you know for sure when gluttony has been committed?
It is common for people to tease the preacher just before a big meal (e.g. buffet, potluck,
Thanksgiving dinner, etc.): “I hope you don't preach on gluttony anytime soon!” - Wink, wink.
Many wrongly suppose gluttony occurs whenever a person eats too much, but this is much too
simplistic and therefore an incomplete definition.
Many mistakenly believe that if you are overweight that automatically means you are a
glutton. Neither the ancients nor the Bible equates gluttony with how fat a person is!
Catholicism teaches that gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins that can lead you directly to
hell. The Catholic definition of gluttony is inaccurate and therefore misleading:
“The excessive indulgence in food and drink... [This] may happen in five ways... [eating] too
soon, too expensively, too much, too eagerly, too daintily” (i.e. eating only because delicious or
pleasing to the taste) (Catholic Encyclopedia). Historically, the Catholic Church has frowned on
pleasurable activities if they do not have some other purpose (e.g. sex in marriage is for
procreation and thus they prohibited contraceptives). To eat food just for the pleasure of the
taste, and not for sustaining the body, is wrong according to the Catholic Church.
I. The Truth about Gluttony as Revealed in the Bible.
A. A glutton is a person who is unrestrained.
i. The Old Law commanded Israel that the rebellious son who lives as a
glutton and drunkard must be stoned to death (Deut. 21:20-21).
a) “Glutton” (ZALAL): “loose morally, worthless or prodigal: wasteful,
extravagant” (Strong; cf. Debauchery).
b) The son is a glutton and thus he has no self-control – he does not
restrain himself nor can his parents restrain him from doing evil.
c) Many of today's youth are gluttons and they influence those around
them to break free of all restraints to indulge in evil (Prov. 28:7).
B. A glutton is excessive and therefore wasteful (Prov. 23:20-21).
i. A glutton has a craving appetite in superabundant or excessive amounts.
Instead of moderation, he eats much more than what he truly needs.
ii. Gluttony can make one sleepy and therefore lazy and as a result, poor.
C. A glutton is a voracious person.
i. Jesus was falsely accused of being a glutton (Mat. 11:19; cf. Luke 7:34).
a) “Glutton” (FAGOS): “a voracious man, a glutton” (Thayer's Lexicon).
b) Voracious “craving or consuming large quantities of food” (R.H.D.).
c) If a person is “loose morally” he does not restrain himself. He does not
exercise self-control. Such a one is likely to be voracious at mealtime.
D. A glutton is a gourmand (Titus 1:12-13).
i. “Lazy gluttons” (“ slow bellies” - KJV, gluttons from GASTER):
“a gourmand” (Strong's Greek Dictionary).
a) Gourmand: One who gorges himself with food; pigs out or is hoggish.
“One who is excessively fond of eating and drinking” (Webster).
b) The people on the island of Crete were lying, greedy hedonists. They
shunned work and loved physical pleasures above everything else.

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 Mark E. Larson

II. Gluttony is a Sin and Therefore Should Be Avoided.

A. Gluttony is not a “minor sin” or a laughing matter (Titus 1:12).
i. Paul, an apostle of Christ, instructed Titus an evangelist to “rebuke them
sharply that they may be sound in the faith.” (Titus 1:13).
ii. To be “sound (i.e. strong, healthy) in the faith” we must avoid gluttony!
B. Do not love to eat.
i. Example: Children will tease one another: “I love to eat pizza!” They
retort: “Well, then why don't you marry it!”
ii. Seriously, the love of food is no better than the love of money (1 Tim.
6:10). Our love need to be channeled in the right direction (Luke 10:27).
iii. Remember a glutton is a gourmand - “one who is excessively fond of
eating and drinking” or in other words he/she loves to eat!
iv. Love for food can lead to another even more dangerous sin: idolatry.
C. Gluttony will make your belly (appetite) like a god (Phil. 3:18-19).
i. If you do whatever your belly tells you to do, you are treating it like a god!
ii. When your mind is focused only on “earthly things” such as the pleasure
of eating, God will be given a lower priority in life than the food you eat!
iii. The worship of idols involved gluttony in ancient times (1 Cor. 10:7).
D. The practice of gluttony can ruin your reputation and influence for Christ.
i. As a result of our study, we can better understand just how insulting the
people were of Jesus when they called Him a glutton (Mat. 11:19).
a) “Unrestrained, excessive, wasteful, voracious, a gourmand.”
b) These are not characteristics that Christians should be known for!
E. Christians should not be like the world.
i. We live in the “Land of Plenty” of giant grocery stores providing every
delicacy, super-sized meals at restaurants, all you can eat buffets, etc.
ii. Instead of joining in on the gluttony, as Christians we need to be set apart
from the world as different and holy (Rom. 12:1-2; cf. 1 John 2:15-17).
iii. Like Jesus, will we be falsely accused of gluttony (Mat. 11:19) or will the
accusation stick? We don't want anything to hurt our influence for Christ!
III. How to Guard Against Gluttony.
A. “Be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18).
i. Just as drinking wine to excess (drunkenness) is sinful, so is gluttony.
Don't depend on food too much. Fill yourself with God's word! (Mat. 4:4).
B. Eat when you are hungry or when necessary (Eccl. 10:16-17; 1 Sam. 14:27).
i. To keep up strength, only opportunity given (lunch hr), health reasons, etc.
C. Exercise self-control in all things (1 Cor. 9:24-27; cf. Gal. 5:24).
i. Some have self-control most of the time, yet on favorite foods (e.g. pizza,
desert) they “pig out” (gourmandize) (Prov 25:16-17). Eat what you need!
D. Be thankful and content with what you have (1 Tim. 6:6-8).
i. Food is a gift from God (Eccl. 3:12-13; 1 Tim. 4:3-4). We need to be
thankful we have enough food for our survival (“daily bread” - Mat. 6:11).
ii. Let us not be like Israel that complained about manna! (Numbers 11:4-6).
E. Be benevolent (e.g. fasting made it possible to feed those in need: Isa 58:6-7).
F. In whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (Prov. 25:27; 1 Cor. 10:31).